Long Road Trip....

[tbone]

Hey,

Decided to go on a long road trip around New Zealand, legs of the trip are probably going to be:

Tauranga to Napier
Napier to Wellington
Wellington to Nelson
Nelson to Greymouth
Greymouth to Ashburton (and bottom of South Island)
Ashburton to Picton
Picton to Wanganui
Wanganui to Hamilton
Hamilton to Kaitaia (and top of North Island)
Kaitaia to Tauranga

Probably be a 10-12 day trip - should be good!

I haven't been on a bike for that long (bout a month), and the wisest thing todo would be to have a smaller road trip, but then sometimes I'm not that wise (depending on the thing I'm doing really!).

This would be probably starting mid-May and I was just wondering has anyone else done a trip like this and what would be things to look out for and if anyone has any advice or something of the like?

I've never been to the South Island before - does anyone know what the weather is like in May down there?

[EJK]

I heard weathers are better in south island. Oh I too want to know about the Interislander.

How much are they?
How can I secure the bike on the ship? (tie down?)
Do they have metal surface ramp onto the ship?

I've sent a mail to Interislander but they havn't replied! (been a week now)


Btw dude, that sounds SO COOL! Have fun!

[jrandom]

Looking at averaging 4-5 hours riding per day on the two fiddy then?

Sensible man; you're not pushing the pace there, so there'll be plenty of time to stop and smell the daisies.

It'll be cold out on the road in May throughout a lot of the country, so make sure you have plenty of insulating layers and a wind / rain proof shell of some sort to wear over your leathers or cordura.

Also make sure that your luggage (backpack, panniers and/or tankbag) is fully waterproof.

And be sure to take a camera to record your trip!

Enjoy.

[jrandom]

How much are they?
How can I secure the bike on the ship? (tie down?)
Do they have metal surface ramp onto the ship?

You can book online at www.interislander.co.nz. Prices seem to be $105 each way at the moment for one person and a bike.

The boats have motorcycle parking spots in the hold with hooks for tie-downs, so just bring along the same tie-downs you'd use to secure your bike to a trailer.

Metal surface ramps? Are you worried about slipping and sliding? I wouldn't be; if I recall correctly, the ramps that you ride or drive up into the boat on are coated with some sort of grippy substance that provides good traction in the wet.

Then again, my memory could be failing me.

[Coldrider]

I heard weathers are better in south island. Oh I too want to know about the Interislander.

How much are they?
How can I secure the bike on the ship? (tie down?)
Do they have metal surface ramp onto the ship?

I've sent a mail to Interislander but they havn't replied! (been a week now)


Btw dude, that sounds SO COOL! Have fun!

Ride on same ramp as cars & trucks, metal chequer deck finish, slippery when wet, use your own tie downs, much better than greasy ropes provided, fare usually $100 each way, MC & rider, discounts can be had.

[SVboy]

[and the rest of the South Island] might need further investigation. The rest is the best so plan where you want to go now to avoid disappointment later....
Weather could be great, if cooler, but possibility of early winter shite, too.

[EJK]

I also heard Greymouth rains alot. Humidity ranks top 5 in the country I heard? Maybe the 1st...

[hang0ver]

I'd say that having only spent a month on a bike it is not a wise decision at all.

Your skill level from a month of riding won't be much consolation on the open road, especially not for a trip around NZ in one go...

Then again people told me I was stupid learning on a 400, but I did it anyway, saved a lot of money and didn't get bored too quickly.

It would probably be testing on a 250 also, but some tour on them (revving hard at 100).

Sorry to cut you down, but if you do it, make it a safe trip.

_-H-_

[MyGSXF:Me]

Getting a bit chilly by then.. Brass Monkey is the first weekend in June! so as mentioned have good thermal layers on!!!

We have fantastic roads down here.. with far less traffic than up Norf too!!

Definitely take ya camera.. & batteries/charger!!!

& if ya need somewhere to crash in Nelson.. give me a bell!

Jen

[tbone]

Thanks for the advice!

I do realise it's a massive ride for a newbie biker, but it's a good way to learn! Most of the trip will be split into probably 4-5 hour rides and make it more manageable. In my head I know it's not the wisest thing todo, but I've found that sometimes you're not supposed to listen to your head and listen to that other part of yourself!

I'm planning on Australia next year and just want to get some experience in a country where I know people first so if I get in a sticky situation, help isn't that far away (compared to being stuck in the Nullarbor!)

Biggest thing I'm worried about is the ferry really!

[jrandom]

I'd say that having only spent a month on a bike it is not a wise decision at all.

Don't listen to hang0ver. He's just being a poopyhead.

[MyGSXF:Me]

Biggest thing I'm worried about is the ferry really!

There are lots of good tie down points on the floor & take your own tie downs with you.. secure the bike well & it won't be a problem!!! The ride on & off the ferry is not an issue.. tis easy as & all good! I did it a few days ago.. (on a GN250.. with a pillion.. .. funny as hell after riding a bloody great BMW R1100R for the previous 8 days!! ) you'll be fine!

[hang0ver]

Don't listen to hang0ver. He's just being a poopyhead.

Don't listen to Jrandom, he is just being random.

Make it a good one.

_-H-_

[tbone]

Thanks heaps for the advice - really appreciate it!

I'm still working out the ride details, but will probably post it on here once I've got it sorted out. What the current overnight stops are probably going to be is Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Queenstown, Blenheim (or Nelson), Wanganui, Hamilton and Kaitaia.

MyGSXF - might take you up on that offer, as I'll probably be staying there on the way down and on the way back up!

Getting pretty excited about the ride though!

[Subike]

I'd say that having only spent a month on a bike it is not a wise decision at all.

Your skill level from a month of riding won't be much consolation on the open road, especially not for a trip around NZ in one go...

Then again people told me I was stupid learning on a 400, but I did it anyway, saved a lot of money and didn't get bored too quickly.

It would probably be testing on a 250 also, but some tour on them (revving hard at 100).

Sorry to cut you down, but if you do it, make it a safe trip.

_-H-_

Put it in perspective mate.
Modern bikes will do a small ride like that at a breeze. 50cc or 2000cc the bikes of today are better built and the roads you will travel are of far better condition than those of the 50's
Think of doing that same trip on an old AJS, Matchless Triumph or Norton. It was done often by bikers 60 years ago so your 250 Virago will eat up the miles no trouble at all.
As for the comment of reving the motor at 100ks for hours on end, God they are designed to do it!
I think your head is in the right place mate. You have a licence, a bike, and the urge to have a great adventure...go for it...you will always remember it.
As for experiance? Well what a good way of getting lots of it, having fun doing what you want to do.
Keep in touch with us on here whilst you do it, a daily report with pics would be awsome to read.
My support mate......ride carefully and enjoy